Job Purpose
The Supplier Quality Manager – Mechanical Structures and Fabrication is responsible for ensuring that all related components and assemblies supplied to the organization meet or exceed quality standards, The role involves leading the Fabrication and Structures. Systems focused supplier quality strategy, collaborating with cross functional teams, and driving continuous improvement to enhance supplier performance. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, technical expertise, and a passion for quality.
Work Location Options
LaGrange, IL 60525, Winston Salem, NC 27107, Muncie, IN 47302
Company Description
Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting-edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.
Key Job Elements
- Supplier Quality Management responsibilities:
o Lead and develop the Fabrication and Structures SQE team.
o Develop, implement, and improve supplier quality processes.
o Ensure suppliers meet all company quality standards.
o Train SQE's to conduct the audits, assessments, and process validations.
o Execute and report on on-site supplier audits of assigned potential new suppliers as required by the supplier selection process.
o Evaluates new and current suppliers within the assigned product scope to verify their capability to meet internal company objectives.
o Maintain awareness of internal company quality requirements within the supply chain as they pertain to the scope of the assigned product category.
o Monitor status, evaluate risk and guide assigned suppliers in activities related to production readiness and report to Senior Management on the status of supplier production readiness.
o Monitor status and provide guidance to assigned suppliers on any corrective actions required as a result of supplier production nonconformances.
o Prioritize and lead supplier performance improvement projects within the scope of the assigned product category to improve product cost, quality, reliability, throughput and capacity.
o Report to Senior Management on supplier performance and the status of supplier performance improvement projects.
o Ensure the SQE team and supply base is trained on critical to quality processes.
o Provide reinforcement and guidance for meeting supplier quality requirements.
o Monitor, report status of critical KPIs to Senior Management with defined action plans.
Examples
- CAPA corrective and preventive action reports from suppliers.
- PPAP production part approval process
o Maintain action logs for each open supplier improvement project and report to Senior Management on the progress of those projects.